Help me identify old bowie military knife!

[knifenovice]

Can anyone give me information on this fixed blade knife. It has its original sheath which faintly says USMC on the sheath. the bottom of the blade is stamped U.S. MOD and below that is 1917. the stamping fades after that. I didn't have a tape measure but I would say the blade is 12 inches or longer. The blade is flat on one side and rounded on the other side. Is this a common item or possibly a type of Bowie knife?. Would it have any value? I am trying to get information for a friend who inherited the knife. Any help would be appreciated.

[Jim Bush]

What you appear to have is a Model 1917 Bolo knife, probably made by Plumb. Another company, American Cutlery also manufactured this model for the army before WW1. In mint condition, this is shown to be from $65-75 in Blade's guide to Knives and their Values. There are a lot around, I have two myself, and they are not of much use as a knife. in actual fighting conditions they were used more as an entrenching tool than anything else. Jim

[smokeu]

Well I wish I had just one...